Tafseer of Crouching · Al-Jaathiya · 45:5
And [in] the alternation of night and day and [in] what Allah sends down from the sky of provision and gives life thereby to the earth after its lifelessness and [in His] directing of the winds are signs for a people who reason.
Important: The Arabic source text is always authoritative. This translation is a study aid and has not been verified by scholars — do not use it as a basis for religious proof or for deriving rulings (ahkam). When in doubt, always consult the Arabic text and a qualified scholar.
Explanation of the words of the Exalted: "and in the alternation of night and day, and in the provision that Allah sends down from the sky and with which He gives life to the earth after its death, and in the turning of the winds, are signs for a people who understand" (45:5)
The Blessed and Exalted says: "and in the alternation of night and day," O people, and their succession over you — this one with its darkness and blackness, and that one with its light and brightness. "And in the provision that Allah sends down from the sky" — and that is the rain, by which the earth brings forth the provisions and the sustenance of the servants. And His giving life to the earth after its death — He says: that which was sent down from the sky as rain caused the dead earth to sprout, until it flourished with plants and crops after its death, that is to say: after its barrenness and dryness and after it had become a desolate plain in which there was no germination and no vegetation.
And His words: "and in the turning of the winds" — He says: and in His turning of the winds for you, sometimes from the north, and another time from the south, and on occasions from the east, and another time from the west, for your benefit.
And it has been said: by this is meant His turning of them, sometimes with mercy and another time with punishment.
* Mention of who said that:
Ibn ʿAbd al-Aʿlā related to us, saying: Ibn Thawr related to us, on the authority of Maʿmar, on the authority of Qatāda, concerning His words: "and in the turning of the winds" — he said: the turning of them: if He wills He makes them a mercy, and if He wills He makes them a punishment.
And His words: "are signs for a people who understand" — the Exalted, whose remembrance is exalted, says: therein are indications and proofs from Allah against His creatures, for a people who understand the proofs of Allah and that which He contains by which He has admonished them, of signs and lessons.
